While there ’s a lot of pressure to quickly bring out all - electric edition of democratic fomite typeslike pickup trucksand thickset crossoverSUVs , it ’s sometimes easy to do that withplug - in hybrids , as the transmutation can be as childlike as tot up a bigger battery clique to a vehicle that may have already been a hybrid .

That ’s just what Kia did to make the Sportage PHEV . Short for Plug - in Hybrid Electric Vehicle , the PHEV was introduced as part of the Sportage ’s most late redesignfor the 2023 theoretical account year . Like other Kia plug - in hybrids , it features an upsized bombardment pack and more herculean electric motor , but has the same canonical layout as its intercrossed counterpart .

One of the automaker ’s longest - running nameplates , the Sportage has evolved , along with the Kia brand itself , from a joke to one of the good well - regarded names among Modern railcar buyers . The 2024 Kia Sportage PHEV continue that development by offer a chew - in intercrossed option to match other popular crossovers like the Ford Escape , Hyundai Tucson , and Toyota RAV4 .

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: design

With the current - generation Sportage , Kia took more styling risks than most contender . Designers gave the Sportage an alien - looking face defined by infield - shaped headlights , boomerang - like daytime run lights , and a dual - level grille that nicely camouflages how liberal the front ending actually is . chaw - in hybrid poser wear all of these styling features ; the only difference between the PHEV and the intercrossed and non - hybrid Sportage model is an extra opening for the kick porthole .

The rest of the outside convey the solid feel of a true S.U.V. without resorting to clichés of ruggedness like the Toyota RAV4 . The fenders are pull out from the trunk , which , along with fragile horizontal taillights , convey a signified of width . That combine with an SUV - appropriate ride height and a fairly retentive wheelbase to give the Sportage a surprising amount of mien , as well as good proportions .

The Sportage has the substantial tactile property of an SUV without any clichés of ruggedness .

Interior place is fairly faithful to other versions of the Sportage , but the plug - in loanblend is n’t usable with the dual - floor cargo floor offered in non - hybrid and hybrid models . Its maximal 34.5 cubic groundwork of cargo space behind the rearward seats and 65.5 three-dimensional feet behind the front seats is also a smidge less than the Sportage hybrid , and appreciably less than what you get in a non - hybrid Sportage . Because the plug - in hybrid can only be order with a sunshine-roof , it also effectively give a morsel of dynamic headroom . The Sportage PHEV is still private-enterprise with similar - sized plug - in hybrids , although theMitsubishi Outlander PHEVoffers an occasional - use third row as well .

Our test car was an disco biscuit - Line Prestige , the high of two trim degree useable with the spark plug - in hybrid powertrain . But the interior was a admonisher that the Sportage is still at the lower end of the Kia SUV pecking order . It had plenty of nerveless detail , including a nicely incorporate curved dashboard screen and air vents that referenced the frame of the headlamp . But the molded plastic door panel lop and equally plasticky bogus Grant Wood on the dashboard made for a deal - basement feel that contrasted with the premium look . And while there was indeed plenty of space in both row , the seats themselves prove uncomfortable for longer trips .

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: specs

$ 45,485 ( X - Line Prestige )

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: tech

All Sportage PHEV models have a 12.3 - inch touchscreen , while the higher - level ecstasy - Line Prestige add a 12.3 - inch digital instrument bunch that blends with the touchscreen to imprint one recollective , curving exhibit . Apple CarPlayandAndroid Autoare measure , but wireless versions are n’t available .

away from needing to keep a USB cable’s length William Christopher Handy , it ’s hard to fault this infotainment organisation . Kia ’s graphic invention is both typical and nonrational , and the main touchscreen is very responsive . That ’s important , as Kia does require you to swipe across multiple screens ’ worth of image for dissimilar functions , alternatively of offer the roofing tile - based interface some car maker have stir to . A large wireless charge pad also keep phones secure , although it ’s knockout to get a phone to lay categorical while plug in for use with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto .

Kia ’s graphic design is both distinctive and intuitive .

As with other late Kia manikin , the row of pommel and touch control condition below the primary touch screen does double duty , switching between audio and clime ascendancy functions . While this does make it possible to accidentally crank up the volume when you mean to adjust the temperature , the setup did n’t make any veridical issue in my experience . It also contributes to the clean feeling of the dashboard .

Plug - in hybrid welcome the same received driver aids as other Sportage role model , include expect features like forward-moving - hit monition and lane - keep assist . Unlike some contender , Kia does not include adaptive cruise dominance as standard equipment , although its optional system includes stop - and - go functionality that will wreak the car to a complete stop consonant in traffic and restart without driver treatment . Also optional is Kia ’s excellent blind - spot camera system , which displays tv camera images in the digital instrument clump , and a 360 - degree camera organisation with impressively crisp imagery that takes the guesswork out of parking evasive action .

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: driving experience

Like the Sportage Hybrid , the Sportage PHEV has a 1.6 - l turbocharged four - piston chamber engine under its hood that ’s connected to a six - speed automatic transmitting with an mix electrical motor . But that motor cause 89.7 horsepower , compared to 59.3 horsepower in the standard hybrid . The battery pack is also bigger , at 13.8 kW - hours , up from the stock hybrid ’s 1.4 kWh .

The bigger coterie provides enough capacity for meaningful galvanic chain of mountains , while also necessitating the charge port that is the ballyhoo - in cross ’s defining feature . And the more muscular galvanizing motor kick in to a total system output of 261 hp , which is 34 horsepower more than the received loan-blend . Torque continue unaltered , however , at 258 pound - feet . So does the maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pound sterling .

The driver and passengers will spend a quite a little of time getting bounced around .

Equipped with standard all - wheel drive , the Sportage PHEV had quick and dramatic event - free quickening off the parentage , making unspoilt utilisation of its electric motor ’s instantly available torsion . The Kia did n’t sense quite as ready as theToyota RAV4 Prime , which dials in a little surplus desirability to make buyer sense better about their plug - in hybrid purchase . The transition between all - galvanizing and hybrid mode also could have been smoother , as the Sportage seemed to bog a scrap as the gasolene engine kicked on ( switching to Sport mode serve smooth this out a bite ) . The infection ’s shift key also seemed a bit scratchy than in the Sportage Hybrid .

That was n’t the only arena where the Sportage PHEV fell short . While the standard hybrid is very pleasant to drive , albeit not very exciting , the PHEV is a task . It took outstandingly longsighted for the plug - in hybrid to get settled after round a recess or going over a jut , meaning the number one wood and passengers will pass a raft of time getting bounced around for no grounds . And while most late Kia role model feature fantabulous steering , the Sportage PHEV is n’t one of them . Its helm is a atavism to the bad older day when most automakers could n’t be bothered to give their mainstream models accurate steerage .

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: EV range, charging, and gas mileage

The Sportage PHEV manages up to 34 miles of all - electric range , which is a bit short of the 42 miles offered by the Toyota RAV4 Prime , but in line with other challenger . It ’s also promiscuous to make economic consumption of that range . The petrol engine will rick on under a heavy foot , but it ’s not on a hair trigger . The electric motor also provides enough power to keep the Sportage moving at restrained speeds without soggy quickening .

Kia said a full recharge would take about two hour using a 240 - volt Level 2 AC charging station , and that demonstrate exact despite using a comparatively depleted - power station . That shoot down prison term , conflate with the Sportage ’s 34 mile of range , should make all - electric drive fair doable for daily commuters . The lack of DC fast charging will probably imply bank more on the gasoline locomotive engine for road trips , but that ’s also the case with most other chew - in hybrids .

The Sportage also gravel sensible fuel economy in hybrid mode , at 35 mpg combined . In mixed drive , while making trusted to keep the battery pack pinch up , we saw an indicate average of around 44 mpg after a calendar week with the Sportage .

2024 Kia Sportage PHEV: How DT would configure this car

Kia only offer the Sportage PHEV in X - Line and X - Line Prestige specs , but you ’ll ask to advance to the latter to get the full raiment of equipment driver aids and the curved fascia display . An upgraded Harman Kardon audio organisation is standard on the decade - Line Prestige as well .

ecstasy - Line Prestige pricing starts at $ 45,485 , or $ 4,500 more than the base X - Line model , which in go is just over $ 2,000 more than the most expensiveSportage Hybrid . That low price , along with honest drive moral force , make the hybrid a better choice overall — peculiarly if you do n’t have a home charge setup .

If a male plug - in hybrid is a must , though , the Sportage PHEV make sensation in the setting of its rivals . It be about the same as the mechanically identicalHyundai Tucson Plug - In Hybrid , and offers as generous warranty reportage . The Ford Escape Plug - In Hybrid has slightly more galvanizing compass , but is only available with front - steering wheel private road . TheMitsubishi Outlander PHEVimpresses with EV - like driving dynamics , but its infotainment organization falls scant of Kia ’s .

But Kia shopper should earnestly deal theToyota RAV4 Prime . Set to be rebranded as the RAV4 Plug - In Hybridfor the 2025 modeling twelvemonth , it falls within the same price range as the Sportage PHEV , but offer more galvanic range , a right drive experience , and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . While the Sportage PHEV has a draw of good point , the RAV4 performs the same theatrical role better .